BMW X3 xDrive30e plug-in hybrid revealed with 288bhp

- Newest plug-in hybrid in BMW’s growing line-up 

- A pure electric range of 55 kilometres 

BMW has introduced yet another plug-in hybrid in the form of the new X3 xDrive30e. Slated to go on sale in 2020, the X3 joins BMW’s long list of PHEVs before the full-fledge iX3 electric arrives late next year. 

Powering the xDrive30 is a 184bhp 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo petrol combined with an 80kW electric motor and mated to an eight-speed automatic gearbox. The combined total output is 292bhp and torque is rated at 420Nm which is good enough for a 0-100kmph time of 6.2 seconds. And the top speed is limited to 210kmph. But the interesting figure here is 55 kilometres – the pure-electric driving range of the plug-in X3 under the NEDC cycle. 

The high-voltage battery can be charged at conventional household sockets using the standard-equipment charging cable which takes less than six hours to charge, says the carmaker. Meanwhile, the BMW i Wallbox takes just three and a half hours to charge. The charging socket is located under a separate flap on the front left side wall of the car. The battery pack is stored under the rear seat while the fuel tank is repositioned above the rear axle, thus the boot capacity is dropped to 450 litres, which isn’t much. 

The X3 xDrive30e joins the X1 xDrive25e and X5 xDrive45e as the third plug-in hybrid SUV. It will hit the production line in December 2019 at the BMW’s Spartanburg plant in the USA alongside the conventionally-powered X3.